The app analyzes the data stream of a PROFINET-controlled network in real time and transfers the filtered-out process data of the PROFINET devices via the IIoT protocol MQTT to the MQTT broker. The netFIELD App PROFINET Tap can be operated independently of the platform.
A data switch, to be installed directly behind the PROFINET PLC, physically taps the data at the Ethernet network and transfers it into the container without affecting the PLC. The data switch is a managed switch with Gbit uplink or a netMIRROR (Ethernet mirror TAP) from Hilscher combined with an industrial network SoC netX that is integrated in the container host.
During a network startup phase, the container app automatically determines the PROFINET network topology or prepares it in its integrated web interface. Using GSDML files, users can prepare the topology themselves. The process data to be transferred to the MQTT broker will be selected in the network tree.
The app can import SIMATIC® project data. Owing to this import, the project data can be realized with symbolic information. The app allows users to determine for each separate process datum whether the PROFINET data is tapped seamlessly or scanned at intervals. Moreover, users can determine which topics are to be transmitted to the MQTT broker at which interval. A PROFINET data buffer and an MQTT payload transmission as a data array prevent a data overflow.
The parallel tapping of the data (without affecting the PLC) and its transfer to IoT technologies are prerequisites for the long-term data analysis as well as the detection of trends and error scenarios. Plant and system operators benefit from the increased productivity of their assets through predictive maintenance, downtime minimization, and optimized workflows (created with the help of intelligent machine learning algorithms).
Under the brand netFIELD, Hilscher offers additional communication containers, platforms for edge devices, and a cloud-based remote management solution for devices and containers.
